Borers in cork bark - Orchid Board

r.u.'chiding · #1 10-19-2009, 11:08 AM

Any recommendations for eradicating borers in cork bark? I've thought about submerging it in (soapy?) water for a few days but wasn't sure that would be enough - no plants attached to the bark, as of yet.

Cheers

camille1585 · #2 10-19-2009, 11:12 AM

If there's no plants on it, either boil the cork or chuck it in the oven a while. That should kill whatever's in there! That's some good advice I picked up in my favorite orchid book "Understanding Orchids..."

r.u.'chiding · #3 10-19-2009, 11:26 AM

Thanks, Camille ... will either of those methods will shorten the 'lifespan' of the cork?

camille1585 · #4 10-19-2009, 02:36 PM

Don't worry about shortening the lifespan. Cork is incredibly tough, and will last many many years. Just looked in the book, and they recommend boiling for 30 minutes. As an interesting note, the author says that he has an orchid that has been growing on the same cork mount for 17 years!

r.u.'chiding · #5 10-19-2009, 04:04 PM

17 years - that's incredible. Thanks for the research! Now, to find something large enough to submerge the cork.